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Is Diarrhea A Symptom Of HIV?
Question: Hello I got rapid HIV testing at a planned parenthood which I have never been to before. I am 21 and scared that I somehow contracted hiv here possibly from the lancet. I was seen 20 minutes after the last patient but what really concerns me is that the clinician was talking about two men who came in to get tested the week before who were positive. It did not seem like she had any patient regard so this made me scared that maybe somehow she used a dirty lancet on me. Within the two months I have diarrhea unsure if this is from stress or not and I have began to lose weight. I am so scared that going there I could of gotten HIV, I don't know what to do I am afraid to tell anyone so I bought a oral Hiv test from walgreens but it's only been two months. Should I just take the test or will that be inaccurate do you think there is any real risk that I could of gotten HIV there I really need some answers, thank you.
Brief Answer:
considerations
Detailed Answer:
thanks for sending the question.
There is basically almost no chance that you have HIV.I think you have let your mind play tricks on you at this point. It is extremely unlikely that the laboratory personnel used a dirty Lancet on you.
diarrhea is not necessarily a classic sign of HIV and this is most likely a gastroenteritis that will run its course within a couple of days.
If you still need reassurance it would be fine to repeat an HIV test. Two months is plenty of time to allow for confirmation.
Again I want to provide you with the reassurance that you most likely with high likelihood do not have HIV.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
considerations
Detailed Answer:
thanks for sending the question.
There is basically almost no chance that you have HIV.I think you have let your mind play tricks on you at this point. It is extremely unlikely that the laboratory personnel used a dirty Lancet on you.
diarrhea is not necessarily a classic sign of HIV and this is most likely a gastroenteritis that will run its course within a couple of days.
If you still need reassurance it would be fine to repeat an HIV test. Two months is plenty of time to allow for confirmation.
Again I want to provide you with the reassurance that you most likely with high likelihood do not have HIV.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for answering it's really reassuring to get a medical opinion. I agree I have let me mind play tricks on me but this is a situation I've never dealt with. The oral test says that you need to wait 3 months for it to be truly accurate, do you think I should wait or just take it I already have it purchased. It just scares me i've lost some weight and my stomache makes really weird gurgling noises i've never heard. I also had somewhat of an allergic reaction last week but went away withtin a day there where no bumps or anything jsut itchyness possibly from my make up im unsure. I also woke up 2 days ago with a sore throat but it is very dull. I wanted to say thanks again for your help. I also wanted to say in the HIV rapid test she used to collect the blood it was metal loophole is that normal?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
thanks again for the additional information.
It sounds like the laboratory you had the testing performed it has a specific protocol.it does not sound like they performed anything outside of standard of care.
I think it would be fine to use the test you purchased. If you want I just want reassurance you can get a blood test performed at your local health department.
Again I want to reassure you that it is very very unlikely that you have HIV.
Dr. Galamaga
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
thanks again for the additional information.
It sounds like the laboratory you had the testing performed it has a specific protocol.it does not sound like they performed anything outside of standard of care.
I think it would be fine to use the test you purchased. If you want I just want reassurance you can get a blood test performed at your local health department.
Again I want to reassure you that it is very very unlikely that you have HIV.
Dr. Galamaga
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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